Question: when I shoot video, I usually use auto mode because it’s easier and the camera chooses the exposure values for me. I’m trying to take my videos to the next level and I’ve been reading a lot and watching videos where people are telling me to use manual mode instead of auto mode. The primary benefit for using manual mode is so I can change my lens’s aperture size. I’ve already got the frame rate and shutter speed set and I like to keep the ISO low to reduce noise. My question is, how do I manage exposure when I’m shooting in environments where the light is constantly changing? For instance, let’s say I’m hiking on a trail and I have my aperture set to f/4. Sometimes it’s shady and sometimes I’m in direct sun. How does manual mode help here? Or if I’m doing a driving video, the same problem arises. It seems like parts of my video would end up over exposed and other parts would end up under exposed. Why wouldn’t I want to let the camera choose and change the aperture size for me? Wouldn’t that be better and more efficient? I can understand using manual mode for fixed settings (environments), but not for settings that continuously change.
Answer: I like to use the auto function on my camera when I’m in changing light. I don’t see a need to fight my camera when it wants to do what it’s supposed to do. Also, if you think about it, you’ll likely make the same changes in manual mode that the camera makes in auto mode by itself. When it comes to working in a fixed settings such as a studio or when my subjects are staying still, yes, I’ll go full manual because it offers a lot more control; primarily depth of field and much more of a cinematic look. If I’m just vlogging though or riding my bike around with my camera, I’ll stick it in auto to keep things easy.
If I’m shooting video with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV or my Canon R6, I’ll keep the camera mode set to auto mode most of the time, unless I’m in an area where I’m confident that the light will remain constant. To be honest though, even if I’m driving around with the camera, I can keep the aperture set to a specific setting. Sunshine and clouds don’t affect the exposure too much. If I’m going for consistency though, I’ll definitely use manual. I’ll need to keep the focus on one thing and keep that blur exactly where I want it. The more dynamic a scene is though, auto is a good choice.
I’m having trouble with my Canon Rebel T7i. I’ll set the camera up on a tripod for some video and I’ll set the camera to manual mode. Just yesterday I was filming some work I was doing. I had the aperture set to f/4 and the exposure looked good. As I moved around in the frame and as clouds came in and out, the exposure darkened at times and didn’t lighten back up. I think it had to do with the ISO. If I were to lock the ISO into a value and the lighting was consistent, I think the exposure would be good. But honestly, how realistic is that? How can I do any video work in a dynamic environment when the camera can’t figure out the proper exposure? The reason I set it to manual in the first place was because when I had it set to auto, the exposure was too dark. When I set the aperture to f/4 (the largest my lens would allow), it brightened up, but again, the camera isn’t very good at adjusting the ISO when necessary. Sometimes I think a Pixel 6 Pro or a GoPro Hero10 would be easier than dealing with this DSLR.